SHOULD age, although compliant with legal requirements, be really an issue when it comes to gunning for the presidency in the Philippines?
The Philippine Constitution states that no person may be elected President unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least 40 years of age on the day of the election and a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years immediately preceding such election.
In other countries, some leaders are elected at an even younger age.
Just last December 2021, Gabriel Boric became the youngest president of Chile when he was elected at the age of 35.
Giacomo Simoncini, one of the Captains Regent of San Marino, the tiny independent state in northern Italy is only 26 years old.
Following is a list of world leaders who are young: Finland– Premier Sanna Marin, who got the position at age 34 two years ago; Kosovo– Vjosa Osmani, was elected president in April at age 38; Georgia–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili was also 38 when he came to power in February; El Salvador– President Nayib Bukele was elected at age 37; Andorra—ex- justice minister Xavier Espot Zamora became the head of government at age 39.
In Costa Rica, former journalist Carlos Alvarado won as president at age 38; New Zealand– Jacinda Ardern became prime minister at 37; Ireland– Leo Varadkar became Ireland’s youngest prime minister in June 2017 at the age of 38.
France-Emmanuel Macron became the youngest president of France when he won in May 2017 at 39; North Korea—leader Kim Jong Un is 37; Chad’s Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno is also 37 and Mali’s leader Assimi Goita, 38.
The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, is 4; Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is also 41.
In the Philippines, Emilio Aguinaldo was barely 30 years old when he was proclaimed as the first President of the Republic of the Philippines in 1899.
In the United States, its Constitution has set the minimum age requirement at 35.
Normally, the rationale behind the age specification is the product of the country’s brightest minds coming together to frame the Constitution.
This means that to their minds, the age of 40 is enough to equip an aspirant with the proper wisdom, life experience and maturity.
Lacking any or all of these, the voters may visit the candidates’ public service record and base their judgement on it.
Wisdom and maturity do not necessarily come with age. The way a person was raised and his life experiences play a huge role.
Being old, even in politics and especially in this country, does not automatically make one wise and mature.
Personally, I would go for younger candidates not only for the Presidency but for other government elective posts as well. The younger ones have more energy and imagination to offer in these challenging times.
More important to look into is the candidates’ capability to keep their promises, their being in touch with reality and the needs of the common tao and concrete proof of what they have done while in office, specially during this pandemic.
Even the most ordinary person can do something to help others in this pandemic. Now if the candidate was nowhere to be found, forget it.
Jokjok (from Maximo Villegas of Antipolo, Rizal)
Teacher: Class, gayahin ninyo ang mga langgam. Lagi silang nagsusumikap at hindi naglalakwatsa
Pedro: Mam! kalokohan yan!
Mam: At bakit mo naman nasabi ‘yan?
Pedro: Eh mam, nandun kami kanina sa Luneta, nandun din sila!
Direct Hit entertains comments, suggestions or complaints. Please have them emailed to [email protected] or text 0919-0608558.
Para sa reaksyon o komento at tanong mag-email sa [email protected]
